Bundjalung man, Jack Manning Bancroft's scholarship to a prestigious Sydney University college showed him a rarefied world that shocked him, and he used his childhood grit to channel his energy into a world-changing project.

Jack's mother is Bundjalung artist, Bronwyn Bancroft.

Growing up in inner-Sydney, he was intimidated by her artistic drive and threw himself into sport, because that was the only way a young Jack thought a man could have influence in the world.

When he was ten the family moved to Bundjalung country to spend time with his mum's side of the family.

The local kids refused to accept that Jack was Aboriginal.

He escaped into fantasy books and wrote long letters home to his dad, Ned Manning, in Sydney.

Jack received a scholarship to St Paul's College at the University of Sydney and vowed to use his opportunity to increase the number of Indigenous kids at university.

The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) was born and Jack has since used his position to forge connections between communities to foster understanding across the world.

Further information

Watch Australian Story featuring Jack and his partner, Yael Stone on iview.

Listen to Jack's dad, Ned Manning, on Conversations in 2022.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan. Conversations Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. The presenter was Rudi Bremer.

This episode of Conversations touches on Aboriginal culture, mentoring, changing the world, personal story, epic life story, family dynamics, Aboriginal excellence, grief, loss, depression, failure and painting.

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